second best

American  

noun

1. the next to the best in performance, achievement, craftsmanship, etc.

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second-best British  

adjective

1. next to the best

2. informal to be defeated in competition

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noun

1. an inferior alternative

second best Idioms  

1. Also, second class. Next after the first in rank or quality, inferior to the best, as in We aren't satisfied with being second best in sales, or This hotel is obviously second class. The first term dates from the first half of the 1400s, the variant from about 1800. Also see come off, def. 2; second class.

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Other Word Forms

• second-best adjective

Etymology

Origin of second best

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

“The second best time to vlog … is after 48 hours of work and travel with no sleep,” he joked in one late-night video, “I think that’s how the saying goes.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

"Celtic were so far second best in that first half," former Scotland winger Pat Nevin said.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

It’s a bit like that saying: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second best time is now.

From Salon • Jan. 27, 2026

Overall World Cup leader Shiffrin had been fourth fastest in the first run and clocked the second best time behind Moltzan, who lead the way in the second run, ahead of Hector.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

For Elizebeth, the pressing reality was that she was stuck in a job where she felt like second best, with her time worth half that of her husband’s.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield